fablecottage | TDM #1

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!tdm

TDM #1

fable test drive meme #1

// away with the fairies

In your land, there may be stories of the Fae taking people away. Perhaps you haven't heard of the Fae at all, or perhaps you are more familiar with them than others. No matter how well acquainted you are with the Fae, everyone around you has experienced the same fate tonight: Being taken by them. Partially, at least. For they did not want to kidnap anyone from their home and take them away from the life they knew. In a small jar of fairy dust, part of your soul was taken in the night and brought to a magical village by the name of Fable.

On arrival, the Fae release you from the jar before waving their magic wands, and materialise this taken little part of you into a brand new you. From here onwards, your new life begins, shared among magical creatures from all walks of life. Here, you will be allowed to grow, thrive and enjoy the bounties provided to you by these mysterious and wonderful creatures. In exchange, they ask for a share of the magical fruit that you grow in your garden, in order for their dragon overseer to reclaim his own magic and find his missing siblings. After a briefing on your new life, you understand things as best as you possibly can. Now, it's time to settle into a brand new cottagecore life.

Welcome to Fable.

// arrival

Now that you are a resident of Fable, you have a brand new cottage, a garden, and a few tools to use! There's not an awful lot in your cottage, though: Just a cardboard box, a lamp, a cassette tape and a single bed. Fortunately, though, it seems that your kitchen is stocked with ingredients. Enough to make a pie, at least! Most of the village shops are currently closed due to the bad weather, so it seems like socialising with your neighbours might be your best shot at finding something to do.

Something sparkly catches your attention before you realise it's a message board, advertising an array of tasks for bonus fruit. Did this thing appear out of nowhere just now? That must be the case, since you can swear it wasn't there a second ago. Perhaps the board will urge you to find some fellow people who are in a similar situation as you. The cold weather might inspire you to go fishing in the river canals, have a snowball fight, make warm drinks for people, get active in the kitchen or go sledding!

Or, just ... do whatever you want! This is your magical home now, might as well make the most of it!

snowfolk!

// do you wanna build a snowman?

While wandering through the village, you suddenly hear a voice appear out of nowhere. "Help ..." The voice speaks, rather ominously, which might alarm you. "Turn around ..." It says again, which may send shivers down your spine that aren't related to the cold. "Now, come closer. No, closer. Closer!" Jeez! You know this place is filled with magical creatures, but what on earth is taunting you at the moment? You can't see anything! There's just a Snowman in front of you.

"Hello." Wait, did that Snowman just--? "I am a Snowman." He did. He talked to you.

"I am lonely. Please build me some friends." Well, it's not like you have anything better to do ... "I will give you a reward if you do. Come to me when you have built, and I will give you a reward." Seems simple enough. You almost walk away to get started, until--

"HOLD IT!" He yells, very loudly for a Snowman. "You must use teamwork to build a Snowperson. The best Snowpeople are made with friends. Find a friend and build a Snowperson for me. Thank you."

Well, there you have it! You have been tasked with finding someone to build a Snowperson with. And of course, because these Snowfolk are magic, they're going to be quite particular about how they want to be built. They may berate you and act fussy during the process. You must divide the work between you and your acquaintance in order to complete your Snowperson. Get creative with hats, scarves, shapes, face designs - and whatever else you think the Snowperson should have!

Your final result will produce either an immaculate (or terrible) Snowtyke, Snowboy, Snowmam or Snowman who will reward you both with a random piece of winter furniture and an extra surprise!

Once you both feel satisfied with your Snowperson,
Please reply to this thread here in order to claim the rewards! Have fun!

the aurora ball

// ballad of the northern lights

In Finnish mythology, it is believed that the Northern Lights (Revontulet) are the creation of a fox who runs across the night sky. In Fable, this very same fox is the one responsible for the Northern Lights of their skies - and while he spends a lot of his time away from the realm to decorate the skies of many other places, he returns every Winter for a fantastic show (and incredible party!)

To celebrate his return, Fable's residents gather in Skáld to host a ball and have a big party beneath the lights. And you have been invited! No need to worry about travel - with your magical invitation, you can be poofed there in an instant! In an act of generosity, the Fox of the Northern Lights has temporarily given you a dose of his magic in order for you to join in the fun! While the party is ongoing, you will have a glowing pair of aurora wings which allow flight, a dazzling new outfit, an immunity to the cold, and the ability to create aurora streaks in the sky!

// the aurora ball

The moment you accept the invitation and arrive in Skáld, the magical effects from the Aurora Fox will activate! Shimmering sparkles will envelope you before you find yourself wearing a brand new outfit and accessories for the evening, and they really are very sparkly! Your floating aurora wings spawn behind you in any colour, and just like that, you're ready for the party! Don't worry about the outfit you were wearing prior to this, it has been transported back to your wardrobe in your cottage. With magic, of course!

The party runs for a few days, and it's a lot bigger than you imagined. Just how many mythological creatures are attending? You and the otherwordly attendees will be staying in a nearby wooden lodge that has been upscaled with magic in order to accommodate its large guests. The lodge has spacious rooms, complimentary meals, and even a heated outdoor pool!

The party itself takes place on a mountain adjacent to the lodge with an outdoor ballroom, Troll DJs playing through the night (with both upbeat and slow music), a bonfire, a food buffet and a bar!

Fancy a drink? There are cocktails and mocktails being served all night by the Troll bartenders! Who knew Trolls were so good at mixing drinks? Cocktails and mocktails are exactly the same in taste, except mocktails don't have any alcohol in them. If your character doesn't like to drink, they can still enjoy the tasty beverage without getting drunk!

Regardless of alcohol content, however, each drink will have a funny effect on the person consuming it.
Pink Pixie will make people feel more flirty and sensual, Minty Manticore will make people hyperactive and chatty, Blue Bunyip will give them a case of the blues by inspiring a little bit of sadness, and Purple Pegasus will make them sentimental and emotional.

Welcome to Fable's first TDM!
We're excited to have you here, and hope you enjoy the prompts!
To familiarise yourself with the setting, please take a look at the arrivals & premise page!
We would also appreciate it if you could have a look at the rules as well.
As a general note, the TDMs are considered game canon!
Which means all rewards for fruit & furniture can be used in the game if you apply!

New arrivals have a cottage, a network device, the clothes on their back and a single item from home.
To view the locations, NPCs and more information about the game, please visit our full navigation!

If you have any questions that you have not seen answered in the FAQ, please ask in the FAQ post. Thank you!

(CODE)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ aki's relief is palpable, and tighnari's expression softens. it was certainly.. a surprise, to come to this place, for no one to know anything about reverie, and where they came from, so he can understand how aki must be feeling - as if he's gone insane, a little bit.

tighnari nods. ]

Of course. I was just about to order a drink.

[ tighnari gestures to the seat beside his own, then sweeps his tail to the side to sit again. ]

[ In the back of his mind, he's quietly grateful. He almost didn't come to this party at all, would have preferred the peace and quiet of his cottage, but now he's glad he did. He and Tighnari would have bumped into each other sooner or later, but still, it's...nice, to finally feel something familiar. If only they could have run into each other even sooner.

At Tighnari's prompting, Aki sits, posture less rigid and formal than it so often is. ]

I could use one as well. What're they serving?

[ Is it too much to ask to just get a simple beer? Probably. ]

[ tighnari notes aki's ease, and it's nice to see; he often looks so stiff and serious. he can't help but be reminded of cyno, a little bit. ]

Good question.

[ he'd been busy sketching the bouquet of windflowers in this vase on the table, but he pushes his notebook aside now and instead lifts the small drink menu, peering it over. tighnari regards it for several moments, his brow furrowed thoughtfully. ]

Maybe I'll ask the bartender what they prefer. See anything you like?

[ Ah, so it's one of those places with these tiny drink menus...something tells him that he's going to have a hard time getting a simple beer here. Figures, given the whole fae vibe and all.

But it is a special occasion...maybe he ought to have something outside the norm. ]

Hm...the pink one doesn't sound half bad.

[ He has the feeling it's going to be very, very sweet. ]

[ yeah there's probably no simple beers here.. i mean maybe some fae are into private brewing who knows?? anyway, tighnari nods. ]

All right, then, I'll be right back.

[ tighnari stands again, setting the menu back down, and pats aki on the shoulder as he passes, tail jingling as it sways. the bar isn't far from them, and tighnari will still be well within eyeshot as he leans against it, talking with the troll barkeep for a few moments, before holding up two fingers.

he waits with his chin rested against his hand, glancing over his shoulder at aki with a smile, until the bartender returns with not one, but two pink drinks, which tighnari takes from her, one in each hand, and returns to the table, handing one down. ]

I decided you have good taste.

[ Though he takes a few moments to glance around the room and take in their surroundings, his gaze keeps flickering back to Tighnari at the bar, meeting his gaze more than once, though Aki smooths out his expression like he wasn't caught staring.

He's just not used to seeing Tighnari wear something like that, and it's eye-catching. Yes, that's all...

By the time his companion returns, Aki's face feels warm, but a small, soft smile remains on his lips, unable to be smothered fully by his usual temperament. ]

Let's hope that taste doesn't come back to bite us in the ass.

[ He takes one of the glasses from Tighnari, nodding his appreciation. ]

Thanks, Nari. Should we toast?

[ aki's face looks a little warm; has he already been drinking? no, tighnari suspects he hasn't, given how he looked at the drink menu before, and he doesn't smell of alcohol, either. maybe he's just warm, in that tuxedo jacket..

anyway, tighnari hands off the glass and sits again, scooting his chair a little nearer to aki's, facing him a bit more. nari, hmm..? it's not the first time aki's used the nickname, but it's still nice to hear. ]

A toast?

[ tighnari hums thoughtfully, lifting his gaze, the tip of his tail waving back and forth. ]

Well, we haven't managed to find home, but.. to finding a place nicer than Reverie.

[ Do not perceive him...meanwhile, Aki is busy perceiving the sway of Tighnari's tail. He's gotten somewhat familiar with reading it, and really, it's not that far off from a dog, the way he wears his heart on his tail.

Not that Aki is about to point out that comparison. Instead, he lifts his glass towards Tighnari. ]

To finding... [ Hmm. How to put it? ] Contentment.

[ He thinks they both have earned it, and if it's really true, that only a small piece of their soul has been brought here, with their other selves carrying on as usual, then it doesn't feel quite so reckless to wish for something like peace and quiet. He still doesn't entirely trust it, but...

Right now, he wants to. ]

[ he sure does wear his heart on his tail. he wears it on his ears, too, which right now are perked high, and swiveled in aki's direction. aki is becoming powerful, learning how to speak tail and ear.. they're almost always betraying tighnari's thoughts and feelings. thanks for not making the dog comparison, though, he'd probably get pissed about that!! even if it isn't wrong.

tighnari raises his glass with a smile, and clinks it against aki's. ]

To finding contentment.

[ even if tighnari's heart will always, at least partially, be with avidya forest, with cyno and collei, though at least one of the two is here with him. tipping back his drink, tighnari takes a generous swallow; it's delicate and sweet, tasting lightly of.. strawberries, perhaps? ]

Have you danced, yet?

[ As their glasses clink together, Aki similarly takes a swig of his drink - perhaps not the most decorous way to drink something like this, but whatever. It is sweet, sweeter than he would usually have, but it’s not half bad. He takes another sip soon after.

His posture and features relaxing even further, he tips his head towards Tighnari. ]

I haven’t. Not much of a dancer.

[ He’s never really had the chance to learn properly…it’s the sort of thing he would usually refuse, but right now, he’s amenable to the idea. ]

Would you like to dance, Nari?

[ He would…like that. ]

[ the drink goes down smoothly, and honestly, if he didn't know there was alcohol in it, well.. he wouldn't know there was alcohol in it! there's only the slightest burn in his throat, the only indication that he's imbibed at all. compared with the wine he usually drinks, it's quite sweet, but not bad. he enjoys the fruity flavor just fine.

oh.. is aki asking him to dance?

/// ]

Well, it's been awhile, but.. so long as you don't mind that I'm stepping on your toes, sure, I'd love to.

[ the party has him in good spirits, better spirits than he could have expected, really, for in many ways he's waiting for the other shoe to drop, here, waiting for the warden to reveal herself to rain down chaos and pain. he shouldn't be too complacent. but it's difficult to be too upset tonight, here, when he's feeling so warm and content. tighnari takes another drink, then stands, offering his hand. ]

[ Tighnari's answer wins another easy smile out of him. They've only be reunited for a few minutes, and yet he already feels like he's smiled tonight at this party more than he has in the last year and change. (A lot of change.) ]

Good. That will make two of us stubbing toes. What could go wrong?

[ Yet despite his good-natured teasing, Aki mirrors Tighnari in taking another sip of his drink, before rising and grasping the other's hand, leading him out towards the dance floor. When was the last time he did this? As an awkward middle schooler? Before...well, before?

It hardly seems to matter. He's just glad to be doing it at all, to have this little chance at warmth and happiness despite it all. He needs moments like these, to keep him going.

Facing Tighnari, he rests his free hand at his waist. He's so short... ]

This alright?

[ He asks softly, warm in his cheeks. ]

[ tighnari's hardships before reverie were certainly nothing in comparison with aki's, but nevertheless he still feels.. lighter, here. more at home. he has no idea if the fae are telling the truth or not, if they can be trusted, but tighnari has always had good instincts, and those he's spoken with here certainly seem genuine.

it could all be another one of the warden's games, he knows, and he must remain vigilant, but.. there's also no reason not to enjoy one another's company, as well. after all, even in reverie, companionship was one of the few things he could rely upon to keep him sane and happy. aki's closeness is welcome, his hands feel warm, and tighnari's thickly padded fingers weave through aki's own, his free hand smoothing up aki's chest to curl over his shoulder.

he's not short you're just tall!! ]

It's fine.

[ he says through a twisting smile, as he begins to carefully move to the music. ]

Just try not to break my toes.

[ Two things can be true!! He’s tall, but Tighnari is also short…

As the music begins to swell and Tighnari’s fingers sink between his own, Tighnari will no doubt be able to feel the way Aki’s heart thunders in his chest as his hand glides up to his shoulder. He feels warm all over, and though it’s an unfamiliar feeling, it’s not necessarily a bad one. It’s like moving close to a fire when you’ve been out all night in the cold - warm and reassuring and familiar. Comforting.

Tighnari has become that for him, he realizes. It’s been awhile now since he’s been “home”, but that’s always been more a state of being with people he cares for than a place. Now, here…Tighnari is that person. Tighnari is…home. ]

If I do, between the two of us we could set it right easily enough.

[ He teases. They’re both pretty handy with impromptu first aid, though Tighnari certainly knows more. At first, his steps are slow and careful and stiff as he tries to find the rhythm, and how to stay in time with the music. ]

You’re definitely better at this than I am.

[ His eyes are still crinkled at their corners. ]

[ tighnari understands that feeling, that warmth, it's like.. a nostalgia.

he hasn't known aki for long, in the grand scheme of things, but they went through things great and terrible together, things that brought them closer, and as tighnari yet knows, they are the only two who seem to have arrived here, from reverie. there's a connection between them that only they can have, that only they can understand. while what they went through was terrible.. tighnari wouldn't take it back, wouldn't erase what happened simply because it was difficult.

his hands squeeze gently, and tighnari smiles, the corners of his eyes gone soft. ]

Maybe just a little.

[ tighnari is still a bit clumsy, but he soon allows simple instinct to take over, and together they move to the gentle, inviting music. tighnari's hand slips along aki's shoulder to settle at his nape, their bodies moving closer, and he can't feel it, but he can hear how aki's heart beats fast, mirroring his own. his face feels pleasantly warm - from the alcohol, perhaps? but no, he hardly had but a few sips.. there's something else, something that flutters in his chest, and urges him to move even nearer still, his head coming to rest against the crook of aki's shoulder. ]

Mm.. that's better.

[ Though it makes Aki's already thundering heart leap into his throat, it nevertheless feels entirely right and perfect when Tighnari moves closer and leans his head against his shoulder. He's just the right height to fit snugly against the slope of Aki's neck and collarbone, and thoughtlessly, Aki leans his head down, too, resting his cheek against one of Tighnari's fluffy ears.

It's so soft...and tickles just a bit. ]

It is.

[ He feels bold saying so. He is normally not so forward with these sort of things, but his tongue feels loser tonight. He can't seem to see that as a bad thing. ]

...So, where do we go from here? Finding ourselves in yet another new world, I mean.

[ And one so unlike where they were before. ]

[ aki's cheek presses to his ear, making it flick gently, and tighnari smiles, his eyelids fluttering low, his thumb smoothing along aki's knuckles. ]

That's the question, isn't it?

[ he hums, his weight resting against aki a little more fully, a little more comfortably. to say that his feelings are mixed would be an understatement. he certainly doesn't miss reverie, by any stretch of the imagination, and he's quite glad to have retained his memories from the place, but he does miss his companions, his friends. he misses ori, worries for her, if they've left her behind..

perhaps he could appeal to prism himself, to ask after her, perhaps the fae could check in on her.. ? ]

We try to settle in as best as we can, and learn as much as we can, while we can. [ a beat. ] I'm glad you're here.

[ Perhaps unsurprisingly, Aki's thoughts are right alongside where Tighnari's are. Being here is bittersweet. He doesn't like the idea of leaving the others behind, people he's come to see as friends, his team, and Ori...if he had the choice to go back to protect them, he would do it in a heartbeat. Perhaps he is only the sliver of a soul, and the rest of him is still back there to help, but it still...doesn't feel right. It will takes some getting used to.

Still, he has the feeling that if they were to ask Ori what she wanted them to be doing right now without her at their side, she would be telling them to do just as Tighnari suggests. ]

...I'm glad you're here, too.

[ Someone he knows he can trust goes such a long way in unfamiliar, uncharted territory. ]

If anything happens...you know I've got your back.

[ yes, having seen the fragment of themselves left behind is all that gives him hope that things will be all right, that they'll still be with her, and everyone else, that they'll still be helping. nevertheless, he'd like to look in on them from time to time, if the fae allow it..

tighnari will do his best to. convince them.

for now, however, he's falling into aki's warmth, his eyes closing fully as they sway together, tighnari's smile curving against aki's collar, his breath warm against aki's neck. ]

And I've got yours. I feel less.. out of my mind, now that you're here.

[ having had no one else remember reverie.. he'd felt a little gaslighted tbh!! ]

[ So had he. He's a lonely person by nature - it comes with the territory of being a devil hunter - but he still felt exceptionally isolated when no one had so much as heard of Reverie. If Tighnari had given that same unfamiliar look of confusion -

Well, he would have kept moving, it's what he does, but it would have hurt. A lot more than he cares to think about. Tonight is for happy reunions and warm hearts. Something tells him this is just what Ori would want for them.

His hand at Tighnari's hip curls up against the small of his back, his palm pressing to his spine to keep him close. ]

Hm...it feels like you're not the only person in the world anymore, right?

[ He understands it well. They have each other. ]

I'll need to lean on you for support. [A beat. ] I don't know much about growing fruit trees.

[ something about aki's hand at the small of his back sends a shudder down his spine that shivers along his tail, warmth rising in his face. gods, what is he thinking? what's gotten into him?

.. not to say that any of this feels anything less than natural. he and aki have grown close quite easily, since the moment they met. tighnari is fond of him, and what they went through together, the horror, the blood and loss and pain, the nightmares - it stands to reason that it would have brought them closer. tighnari hums and chuckles, his breath gusting against aki's skin. ]

I'm happy to help. It shouldn't be too difficult.

[ the trees seem to have established themselves quite easily, tighnari can only assume due in part to the dendro power that many of these fae seem to possess. ]

Anything you need, I'm here.

[ lifting his head, tighnari watches aki with hooded eyes, his pupils wide and black, his smile easy, confident. ]

Anything.

[ Anything.

That single word sends a chill down his spine, even if at first, he doesn't know why. Aki doesn't easily pick up on when he's being hit on, even in a case like this, when he knows Tighnari well...but the alcohol he drank does pick up on it, and after a moment, that chill turns to a warmth as he meets Tighnari's gaze, and the offer that truly lies in them.

His gaze flickers to Tighnari's lips, looking soft and plush in the colorful low lighting of the party, and though it's hard to look away from them or stop thinking about them once he starts, his gaze lifts again to meet Tighnari's as he swallows against a too-dry throat.

--He forgets to dance, and stumbles a bit. It's a good excuse to slip his hand free from his partner's to curl it beneath his chin, tipping his face upwards, as if he needed any encouragement. ]

Sorry. I told you I'd be clumsy.

[ But dancing doesn't seem so important anymore, when they're close like this. ]

...What if I need you to kiss me?

[ He murmurs, soft and gentle into the intimate space between them. ]

[ while tighnari is a forward person, he wouldn't consider himself flirty, but tonight? gods, something was in that drink, he's sure, something that has him feeling sensual and sweet, and he'll likely feel silly for all this later. not that he doesn't want to kiss aki - he'd like to very much, and it's the only reason he's indulging this mood of his, rather than simply taking his leave.

he can see it in aki's eyes, the gentle wanting, the way his gaze flits down to tighnari's lips and back up again. he can feel it in the way that aki tips up his chin. tighnari's face flushes warm.

there are things he could say, but rather than reply, tighnari takes his initiative and closes the gap between them, the hand at aki's nape tugging him a little further downward so tighnari can press their lips together, warm and easy. a little thrill shoots down his spine at the contact, tighnari's tail bristling beneath its golden chains, and he breathes a low murmur against the kiss, his back arching beneath aki's hand to bring their bodies closer.

it's so easy to fall into. tighnari's arms are both up in a moment, coiling around aki's shoulders as they come together, his head tilting to slot their mouths together a little more properly. ]

[ He’s ready for it when it comes, eager for it when their lips meet, for how the effects of the alcohol in his system make this all seem like second-nature. This isn’t like the last time they had kissed, out of obligation under the mistletoe, and regardless of what influence they may be under, there’s no doubt that Aki wants this. He wants to kiss Tighnari tonight, while they slow dance, while this new life in a new world buds before them.

Is it too much to hope that it could just be…like this? Yes, he knows better, nothing is ever as simple as it seems, and yet here, tonight, kissing Tighnari’s warm mouth and feeling the buzz of his hum against his own lips, Aki could let himself dream.

The hand at the small of Tighnari’s back presses him nearer so their bodies are flush, fingers gliding along his jaw as their mouths slot together neatly, gently, though there is heat behind their touch, and a fire already flickering in his stomach. In the grand scheme of things, he and Tighnari still haven’t known each other very long, yet it feels as though they have been building to this for awhile now. He has waited for this kiss, and far be it from him not to make the most of it.

His lips move slow like smoldering embers against Tighnari’s, velvety and smooth, careful and sweet, full of words he wants to say, but can’t.

He’s always been better at expressing himself physically, anyway. ]

[ oh, it's a good kiss..

funny, how it had been so long since tighnari had last kissed someone, and now, he has kissed two people in the span of a week or so. funny, how shared trauma can bring you close to people so easily.. but the fact that he has not known aki long does not impact how he feels, nor how easy it is to kiss him, just as it had been with ori.

tighnari hums, soft against aki's mouth as his lips part, and when aki pulls their bodies flush a quick gasp stutters between them, tighnari's body tensing sweetly, his arms around aki's shoulders tightening, holding him near, keeping him near. the kiss is slow, but it is deeply intense, soft and sensual, and it isn't long before tighnari's tongue is dragging along aki's lower lip to seek entrance, before dipping inside to taste him. the sensation of their tongues brushing together is enough to bring a low whine to his throat, and tighnari inhales sharply.

something sparks in his blood, something eager and hot. by the time the kiss breaks, tighnari's breath is coming quickly, his eyes glazed and his cheeks flushed as he peers up into aki's face, both ears pinned back. ]

.. anything else?

TDM #1

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